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307 old public housing blocks have either been demolished or converted to provide self-contained homes, thereby improving the living conditions of about 645,000 people. Another 413 blocks, affecting about 517,000 people will be cleared by 2001.
40. There has been a continuous improvement in the planning and design of public housing estates and their amenities. Estates built in recent years are all self-contained complete with ancillary facilities such as shops, market stalls, restaurants, schools, clinics, welfare centres, kindergartens community halls and play areas. Facilities for elderly and disabled people and other special groups are also provided where possible. A new rental block design has been introduced in recent estate layouts to provide a better internal and external environment, with greater emphasis on quality and flexibility.
41.
The Planning Development and Territory Development Department are now carrying out planning and development works in 9 new towns, including the latest new town to be developed in support of the new airport project, and several rural townships to accommodate approximately 3 million people by 2000. As a result of this major programme the population of the New Territories has already risen from 1.6 million in 1985 to 2.3 million in 1991. The new towns are provided with a high standard of housing, community facilities, transport and employment opportunities. Extensive landscaping is also provided to foster an attractive environment for new town residents.
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A priority in land supply is to make sufficient land available for construction of residential accommodation. In 1991, the private sector produced over 33,400 units and is expected to produce 33,500 units in 1992. The majority of these units are small or medium size flats of 100m2 or less.
Most of
43. About 74% of private housing is owner occupied. the remaining private rental housing is subject to the application of the Landlord and Tenant (Consolidation) Ordinance. Essentially this provides security of tenure to all protected tenants and controls rent increases for domestic flats built before June 1981 and -for tenancies created before June 1983; such rent increases are permitted to rise gradually towards market levels; generally by maximum increases of 30% every two years subject to a new rent not being less than a certain percentage of the prevailing market rent of the premises (which is at present 70%).
44. In 1991, the Government promulgated the Metroplan which aims to restructure the city and improve the living conditions of the urban areas. The primary objective of the Metroplan is to thin out the existing congested areas and improve the urban living environment. The population in urban areas will be kept at about 4.2 million.